Dagenham & Redbridge managing director Steve Thompson admits players could be sold as attendances dip. Pic: Dave Simpson/TGSPhoto

Dagenham & Redbridge managing director Steve Thompson reveals thoughts after announcing operating loss.

Dagenham & Redbridge managing director Steve Thompson believes the club may well have to continue reducing their playing budget in the years to come.

That is after presenting the club’s board members with the latest figures at the AGM last Thursday, with Thompson announcing an operating loss of £386,734 for the year ending June 30.

And Daggers’ lack of an FA Cup run this season, with a 4-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth in the first round, could well lead to departures on the playing front in either January or at the end of the current campaign.

“We have had to reduce the playing budget year-on- year and it is always an ongoing issue,” said Thompson.

“We may well have to do the same the next year, but at this stage we cannot tell. It’s also not helped that we haven’t had a run in the FA Cup this season.

“Selling players is one possible stream of revenue, but it hasn’t been discussed yet as to whether players could go in January or at the end of the season.”

Attendances have also fallen at Victoria Road with the average figure dropping from 2,090 last season to 1,724 in this current campaign – the lowest in the Football League – though there have only been eight home league games to date.

The club only have one home game scheduled before Christmas – against Barnet on December 15 – and to make matters worse even that could fall foul to the weather if the country has another big freeze.

“A lot of that reduction has come in as the away teams are not bringing as many as they have before, while there is a slight reduction in the number of home supporters,” added Thompson.